The governor said he would be an advocate for the state and its farmers but “one of the things that is clear, is the federal government is really going to have to accelerate the research that is being done in regard to bird flu.

More than 15 million birds have been depopulated across Ohio because of the bird flu. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine spoke in Darke County Thursday, detailing his plan for the disease. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7′s Mason Fletcher was at the Versailles Fire Department as DeWine addressed state agriculture leaders.

Millions of birds across the United States have been infected with the avian flu and Ohio leads all states in case numbers. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Ohio leads the country with over 5.

Darke County is the center of Ohio's egg industry and its poultry farmers have been particularly hit hard. This loss drew Gov. Mike DeWine and other state and industry leaders out Thursday afternoon.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a proclamation marking the third anniversary of Russia’s “unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” calling Russia’s actions “unacceptable” and showing Ohio’s support for Ukraine.

The bird flu has hit Ohio hard, and state officials are meeting with media to talk about the issue. Governor Mike DeWine and the director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture held a press conference Thursday afternoon in Darke County to discuss the impact in the state.